Using Lunar Calendars

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Using Lunar Calendars By Michael Erlewine

Dedicated to Margaret Erlewine

© Copyright 2014 Michael Erlewine All Rights Reserved

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Lunar Calendars I have been publishing a yearly lunar calendar since 1969, along with my brother Stephen, some 45 years. It was first published by Circle Books, then for many years by the Circle Books and the AFA (American Federation of Astrologers) together, and recently by Matrix Software, a company I founded, in e-book format. The Chinese, Indian, Tibetan, and other Asian countries also have lunar calendars, but they are more complex than their western versions. For one, where here in the west we may chronicle the four quarters (sometimes eight phases) of the moon, the Asians record 30 lunar phase times each month. In the Tibetan astrological calendars, the 360-degrees of the solunar angular separation are timed for every 12-degrees of angular separation between the Sun and the Moon. Every Tibetan monk and lama has an astrological lunar calendar or access to them and they use them, well, religiously of course. But there are problems with the published calendars, which I will try to explain.

Solunar events like the Full and New Moon, the four quarters of the Moon, as well as the 30 lunar days in the Tibetan and Hindu calendars are all precise moments in time. In other words, when the moment of the Full Moon occurs, that instant is true for everywhere on Earth -- one instant for all places.

However, all the places on Earth happen to be in different Time Zones, just as we have EST, CST, MST, and PST here in the U.S. The result of this is that while all cities and places on Earth experience the Full Moon at the same exact instant, their local

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time (and time zone) will vary, and so they will report the time of the Full Moon in their local time and those times (worldwide) will all be different, or at least as different as their local time zones. This is important to understand.

Why it is important is that a great many (if not most) Asian lunar calendar are calculated for a specific place and time in Asia (Lhasa, Tibet, Bodhgaya, India, etc.), yet they may be distributed worldwide. The result is that a Tibetan monk in New York may be using a lunar calendar calculated for the time in India, and hell and high water will not budge them. And the lunar times in those calendars are up to a day off!

Trust me folks, I have seen it all, in this area. And it can get worse too. Because most lunar calendars, at least originally, were made to use by a whole monastery for daily practice, lunar day times were rounded off to the nearest day. For example, the Full Moon might be at 1:00 AM (in the middle of the night), but the sangha of ordained monks would do whatever practice for that particular Full Moon day on the following day…. In daytime. Or sometimes the time given is that of sunrise on the following day. All of this was for the convenience of the sangha, not for the correctness of the solunar event. What to do about this?

The simplest and most accurate thing is to use a table of solunar events for your time zone. I will include a link at the conclusion of this article. Just use that as a guide for dharma practice, but make sure you adjust it to your time zone. I will give is to you in EST (Eastern Standard Time), and you will offset that time to however far your time zone is from Eastern Standard Time.

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Here are some free resources:

A free Tibetan Dharma Practice Calendar at:. http://astrologyland.com/

On the page, look for "Moon Time," and in the lower left-had column, click on the small red dharma wheel.marked "Practice Calendar." That should help. For a free 150-years Lunar Calendar, go to this link and scroll down until you find a book with a red cover named "Dharma Practice Calendar.

http://spiritgrooves.net/e-Books.aspx

Questions to [email protected]

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The Twelve Lunar Months Tibetan astrology is primarily lunar based, rather than solar based as is our astrology here in the West. In the West we ask questions like: “What is your Sun Sign?” or “What is your birthday?” Our calendar is solar or Sun based. In Tibet and many other Asian countries, although the Sun is also important, it is the Moon that rules and the cycles of the Moon. In Tibet they don't celebrate birthdays as we do here. However, Tibetans might want to know what lunar day you were born in. In other words, Tibetan months should not be confused with months as we have them in calendars here in the West (January, February, etc.). In Tibet, a month means a lunar month, and a lunar month is measured from New Moon to New Moon. Tibetans have a year of twelve or thirteen lunar months, and the starting and ending times and dates for these lunar months (their New Year) is not fixed. They vary. As mentioned earlier on, Tibetans have special lunar almanacs to keep track of this. The Tibetan New Year (which is called “Losar”) does not start on January 1st as does the Western calendar year. Instead, the beginning of the year in Tibet is a fluctuating point that (in general) starts with the day after the New Moon that is nearest to the beginning of February. But even that is not written in stone. For example, the Tibetan and Chinese New Year celebrations can differ by an entire month! Even the two Tibetan-style calendars covered here, the Tsurphu (Karma Kagyu Lineage) and the Phugpa (Gelugpa Lineage) can, on occasion, differ by one whole month! It can only differ 6

by an exact lunar month because no matter which system you use, the Asian year begins on the day following a New Moon. For those of us used to calendars being absolute, this can be very confusing. How can New Year be off by an entire month? Months and Elements Each of the twelve or thirteen Tibetan lunar months is assigned one of the sixty element-animal combinations, such as, for example, a month might be called the “WaterTiger” month. Here again I must point out that there is not complete agreement among Tibetans as to just how this should be done. In fact, there are several schemes for assigning elements and animals, and the differences are much too complicated to go into here. I suggest anyone who wishes to study these differences see the book “Kalachakra and the Tibetan Calendar” by Edward Henning. One established method of naming the Tibetan months is where the animal for the first month of the year is always the Tiger, and the rest of the months follow in the standard order of the Tibetan animal cycle (Tiger, Hare, Dragon, etc.). As for determining the element that goes with the animal or branch for each month, again there are differences. The Phugpa tradition states that the element that goes with the first month is always the Son of the Element of the Year. For example, using the sexagenary cycle, I was born in 1941, the year of the Iron-Snake, so Iron (metal) is the element for the year 1941, and the son or child of Earth is the element Water. In this method the son of the element of the year is the 7

element of the first month, the son of the element of any month gives the element of the first day of the month, and the son of the element of that first day gives the element of the first double-hour. Each element holds for two months, and the order of the element is in the standard order: iron (metal), water, wood, fire, and earth. To recap: the son of the element of the year is the element of the first two months (Tiger and Hare). Then, the son of the element used in the first two months becomes the element used in the third and fourth months, and the son of that element (third and fourth months) becomes the element for the fifth and sixth month, and so on for the rest of the year. However, according to Edward Henning, the abovedescribed method is not that much used in almanacs. What is used is the following method, based on the animalgender combination (the stem) for the current year. Year Stem Wood (male) Earth (female) Wood (Female) Iron (male) Fire (male) Iron (female) Earth (male) Water (female) Fire (female) Water (male)

First Month Element Fire-Tiger (male) Fire-Tiger (male) Earth-Tiger (male) Earth-Tiger (male) Iron-Tiger (male) Iron-Tiger (male) Wood-Tiger (male) Wood-Tiger (male) Water-Tiger (male) Water-Tiger (male)

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For example, I was born in 1941, the year of the IronSnake (female), so the animal-element combination for the first lunar month of 1941 would be the Iron-Tiger, and therefore the second month would be Iron-hare. Remember that the animal signs go in order, one for each month, but the elements are doubled. After these first two, we follow the rule given earlier that the son of the element used in the first two months becomes the element used in the third and fourth months, and so on. For 1941, the third month would be the WaterDragon, and the fourth the Water-Snake, since Water is the son of Iron. And so it goes.

The Lunar Month For starters, as mentioned, it is important to understand that Tibetan astrology is lunar based (the Moon), rather than solar based like the calendar we are used to here in the West. What is of interest to Tibetans is the lunar month, which is (on average) 29.5 days in length. The lunar month is based on the solunar angle, which is the ever increasing (or decreasing) angle between the Sun and the Moon, as the Moon makes its monthly journey around the earth from New Moon to the next New Moon. Tibetans divide the 360-dgree lunar cycle into 30 days, each day lasting for the time it takes for the solunar angle to increase by 12 degrees of arc. Because the Moon moves in an ellipse (going faster or slower at different parts of its orbit), some lunar days take less time to cover those 12 degrees, while others take more. They do not measure an even 24 hours, like conventional clock time. This varying speed of the Moon allows for the double and 9

omitted lunar days in the Tibetan almanac or calendar.

The Phases of the Moon The phases of the Moon have been observed for ages. The word Moon, from a Sanskrit term for measure, is still the primary means by which the majority of the people in the world (even in this 21st century!) measure time and the events in their own lives. I am referring here to the Asian countries, where astrology is an accepted part of society. Although measuring time and life by the Moon is ancient, it is not just some primitive sort of clock. The very sophisticated concept of lunar gaps springs from centuries of painstaking psychological observation by the lamas of Tibet, and the Hindu sages. They practice it today with the same vigor and intensity as they did a thousand years ago. Unlike many other traditions, where the line of successors (lineage) has been broken due to various events, the dharma and astrological tradition of Tibet remains pure and unbroken to this day. Although much of the Tibetan dharma tradition requires dedication and intense practice, learning to use the Moon's phases and the concept of lunar gaps is easy to get into. The theory is simple. It involves the ongoing relationship between the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth -- the monthly cycle of the phases of the Moon. We already know about the Moon cycle, and can even walk outside at night and see which lunar phase we are in. We are always in the middle of the lunar cycle. This is not the place (and I am not the expert) to describe to you either the very complicated astronomical motions 10

these three heavenly bodies produce, or the profound theories of what all of this motion means in a philosophical sense. What is quite accessible is the concept of lunar gaps. As we know, the Moon cycle goes through its phases from New Moon to Full Moon, back to New Moon in a cycle of about one month, some lunar 30 days. This is seen as an ongoing cycle of activity -- endless in extent. It goes on forever. However, although the Moon cycle is unending, it does have distinct phases, such as the Full Moon, New Moon, the quarters, and so on. In Tibet and India, the monthly lunar cycle is divided into 30 parts called lunar days. There are thirty lunar days (cumulative 12-degree angular separations of the Sun and Moon) starting from the New Moon (considered the 1st day), counting through the waxing half of the Moon cycle to the Full Moon (start of the 16th day) and on around through the waning cycle, back to the New Moon again. What is interesting about the Tibetan view of this 30-day cycle is that the 30 lunar days are not considered all of equal importance. Here in the West, we note difference between New Moon and Full Moon, at least some folks do, but not much else. To the Tibetans the monthly lunar cycle has many more event points within it other than just those of the Full and New Moons. These lunar gaps or openings that occur in each 30-day moon cycle are opportunities waiting to be observed and perhaps taken advantage of. It is at these lunar gaps or openings in this endless cycle that it is often possible get a glimpse or some insight into 11

various areas of our own life or to have certain kinds of experiences. In fact, the Tibetans take full advantage of these very regular lunar gaps to perform very specific practices. In other words: certain of the lunar days have proven themselves to be auspicious for particular kinds of activities and others perhaps should be avoided. In the East, they speak of mental obscurations that tend to cloud our minds, but that can sometimes clear up, just as the Sun comes out from behind the clouds. These moments of clarity are the gaps in the clouds. From a reading of the Eastern literature on this subject, one gets the sense that (in general) life is perceived as being filled with the noise of our own problems (obscurations), making clear insight often difficult for us. These obscurations can be many and their accumulation amounts to the sum total of our ignorance -- that which we at present ignore. Therefore, in Eastern countries, these articulation points or lunar gaps (windows in time/space) are very much to be valued. They amount to opportunities for change. In fact, the Eastern approach is to analyze the lunar cycle in minute detail in order to isolate these moments (gaps in time/space) where insight into our larger life situation can be gained. Much of the day-to-day practice in Eastern religions amounts to a scheduling of precise times for personal practice or activity around the natural cycle of the moon – lunar days. In its own way, this is a very scientific approach. In the East, they have been astute observers of the mind for many centuries. Here in the West, we are no stranger to clear days in our mind. We have those too! The only difference is that we tend to believe that these so-called clear days appear randomly -- every now and then. The more sophisticated 12

(and ancient) psychological analysis of the East has found that these (inner) clear days are (for the most part) anything but random events. They have their own internal ordering, and often times this ordering can be associated with the phases of the Moon.

In summary, there are times each month when it is more auspicious or appropriate to perform or be involved in one kind (or another) of activity. There come gaps in the general obscuration or cloudiness of our mind when we can see through the clouds -- when penetrating insight into our own life is possible. Most of us could benefit from that insight. I know I need it. As noted, the times when one can see without obscuration (see clearly) are very much valued in the Tibetan dharma tradition. These are viewed as real opportunities for insight and the subsequent development such insight generates. Knowing when and where to look for these insight gaps has been the subject of study and research in Tibet and Asia for centuries. Before studying Tibetan astrology, I didn't even understand these lunar gaps existed. It gives a whole new meaning to the British subway-phrase “Mind the Gap.” And this is not just academic research. Lunar gaps are used to plan a wide variety of events in the Tibetan calendar, everything from finding a time to perform a simple healing ceremony to full scale life empowerments. Aside from knowing when these lunar gaps can be experienced, the other major thing to know about this subject is what to do when the gaps occur. As you might imagine, there are a wide range of practices, depending on 13

the particular lunar gap (phase) and the personal needs of the practitioner. However, in general, these lunar gaps are times to be set aside for special observation. Tibetans observe these days with great attention and care. In fact, in many Eastern countries they don't have Saturday and Sunday off. Instead, New and Full Moon days are considered holy days (holidays), and normal routines are suspended at these times. These are days that are set aside for observation of our own mind. In the Western tradition, holidays are observed, but not astronomical moments. This word "observation" is worth mentioning, for this is what takes place at these times. In the West, we might use the catch-all word meditation. In Tibet there are many words that come under the general concept of meditation. The word "observe" is a lot closer to what happens during these lunar gaps. Observe the nature of the day. Observe your mind at these times. Be alert, present, and set that bit of time aside just to examine yourself, your mind, the special time -- what-have-you? It is while being present -observing these seed times -- that the so-called lunar gap can present itself, that we can glimpse or see through that window in time. Many great dharma teachers have pointed out the existence of gaps in our life, moments when clarity and real insight is possible. And lest we get too far afield, sitting there waiting for a gap in time or space to occur, let me restate: The gap that appears is a gap in our particular set of obscurations, our own personal cloudiness. When such a gap takes place, there can be an intense insight into some particular aspect of our life situation, the effects of which may stay with us for a long time. One moment of real insight or vision can 14

take weeks or months to examine in retrospect. Each time we bring such an insight experience to mind, its richness is such that it continues to be a source of inspiration. This is what lunar gaps are all about. At this point, it is hoped that you have some general idea of what lunar gaps are and how you might go about taking advantage of them. It remains to give you a schedule of when they will occur. The solunar angle between the Sun and Moon is the basis for much of Tibetan astrology and the key to measuring the start and end of each of the 30 lunar days. The Tibetan month begins at the moment New Moon, which is the start of the 1st lunar day. When the angle between the Sun and the Moon reaches 12 degrees, it is the start of the 2nd lunar day and so on. Each successive 12-degree arc of angular separation marks succeeding lunar days… on to the end of the 30th day, which is the next New Moon. However, the celebration or listing of the event may occur on the following day. One source of possible confusion to keep in mind (mentioned earlier in this text) is that Tibetan practice calendars are geared for group practice, which means that if the moment of the New Moon is at 2 A.M., the group will most likely be asleep and not able to gather. For convenience purposes, the lunar day of the month at sunrise (about 5 A.M.) is usually listed as the lunar day for that calendar date, even if the beginning of it occurred many hours earlier on the preceding day. For example, Losar, the Tibetan New Year is celebrated on the day following the day on which the actual New Moon occurs. In contrast, the Chinese celebrate the New Year on the actual calendar date on which the New Moon 15

occurs. The point here is that most Tibetan almanac or calendars are geared for group practice. Here in the West, many solitary practitioners keep to the lunar calendar and observe the time when the actual lunar day changes.

Below you will find a list of the major lunar days in the Tibetan practice calendar and what they are about. There are still further divisions that we have not included here, to keep this simple. These are the days observed by most Tibetan lamas in one form or another. These lunar opportunities are sometimes referred to as gaps or openings in the otherwise continuous stream of our lives – windows in time. The Tibetans conceive of these gaps as articulation points, much like an elbow is where the arm is articulated. They are natural joints or gaps in time/space upon which time and space turn and through which it is sometimes possible to gain access to information about the larger, dynamic life process that already encapsulates us. In other words, we can see beyond our personal obscurations at these times. These lunar opportunities are sometimes referred to as gaps or openings in the otherwise continuous stream of our lives -- windows. These can be conceived as articulation points, much like an elbow is where the arm is articulated. These are natural joints or gaps in time/space upon which time and space turn, and through which it is sometimes possible to gain access to information about the larger, dynamic life process that already encapsulates us. The idea here is that we are each in the midst of our lives, surrounded by the cloud of our own personal obscurations. 16

As one Tibetan rinpoche put it to me: those of us living today are the ones who through all this time have never managed to get enlightened, the hard cases. Surrounding us, but ignored by us until now, are all the hints, teachings, suggestions, pointers, etc. on how to clear up our mind and become more enlightened. We have managed to ignore almost every opportunity for insight.

Therefore, the fact that these lunar gaps or openings exist should be welcome news to us, opportunities for us to see more deeply into our condition and get a better handle on things.

Major Practice Days Let's go over briefly some of the more important lunar days that are observed give some idea as to the kind of practices performed on those days.

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Dharma Protector Days Both East and West lunar traditions agree that the two or three days preceding the moment of the New Moon can be difficult ones, days which require special observation and care. In the West these days have been called the dark of the Moon, or devil's days -- days when the so-called darker forces are said to have power. Both traditions affirm that we sort of survive these final three days each month. We wait them out.

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Check it out for yourself. The three days before New Moon can be a hard time. The East is in total agreement on this point, and the days prior to New Moon are set aside for invoking the fierce dharma protectors, those energies that ward off harm and protect us during the worst of times. In particular, the 29th day (the day before New Moon) is called Dharma Protector Day. It is a time given over to purification and preparation for the moment of New Moon. Ritual fasting, confession of errors, and the like are common practices.

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Purification Days In a similar vein, the days just prior to the Full Moon (the 13th and 14th) are also days of purification, days in which the various guardian and protector deities are again invoked, but in a somewhat more restrained way. For example, the 14th day is often given over to fire puja -- a ritual purification. In summary, during days prior to Full and New Moons, there is usually some attempt at purification, both physical and mental, in preparation for those auspicious events.

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The Full and New Moons It is clear from the Tibetan literature that the times of the New and Full Moon are considered of great importance. In fact, these days are set aside for special rituals and worship. As pointed out, Full and New Moon (Full more than New) are times of collective worship and public confession. In many traditions, the monks and priests assemble for a day of special observance. In the East, the Full Moon celebration and the entire waxing lunar fortnight are oriented to the masculine element in consciousness, what are called the Father-Line Deities. The New Moon and the waning fortnight are given over to the Mother-Line Deities and the feminine element. The Full Moon completes the masculine, or active, waxing phase of the cycle, and the New Moon completes the feminine, waning phase of the month. To my knowledge, this kind of analysis does not exist in the West to any real extent. It is quite clear from the Eastern teachings that the

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moments of Full and New Moon are times when the various channels in the psycho-physical body are somehow aligned. This is not to say the New or Full Moon days are days of peace and quiet. It is taught in the East that, although a New or Full Moon day may tend to be wild or hectic, any patience or forbearance we can muster at that time will be much rewarded. In other words, there can be deep insights available to us at these times. That is why they are set aside for observation; they are observed.

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Solar and Lunar Eclipses According to these same teachings, an eclipse at the Full or New Moon is even more auspicious. In the teachings it is said that during these very special events that the winds and the drops, both male and female energies (the inner channels), are in simultaneous alignment -- the ultimate opportunity for observation. As you can gagther, the lunar cycle and its effects and opportunities have been analyzed in great detail in the Eastern teaching.

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Tsok: Feast Days Aside from the New and Full Moons, the two most auspicious lunar days in the East are the 10th and the 25th lunar days. The 10th day (120° of angular separation), called Daka Day, is considered auspicious for invoking the Father-Line Deities -- the masculine. The 25th day (300° of angular separation), called Dakini Day, is given over to the feminine principle and the Mother-Line Deities, in general. These two days, the 10th and the 25th, are formal feast days, days of observation when extra offerings are made and increased attention is given to what is happening. There is some sense of celebration at these points in the month, thus the feat or Tsok. In many respects, these two days even rival the New and Full Moon days in importance. The fact is that these four days (New, Full, 10th, 25th) are the primary auspicious days as practiced in many Eastern rituals. They are observed religiously. 24

Healing Days There are many other days of lesser importance which might also interest Western astrologers. Health and healing are important in Eastern ritual, and the 8th and 23rd days of the lunar month are auspicious for this purpose. It is these days that straddle the first and last lunar quarters. The 8th day (96° of separation) is often called Medicine Buddha Day. Again this occurs in the male, or father-line, half of the month. The 23rd day (276° of separation), occurring in the feminine half of the month, is dedicated to Tara practice. Tara is the female deity connected to health, long life, and healing in general.

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More Protector Days Earlier we mentioned the days given over to purification, are most prominently the 13th and the 29th. In addition, on a lesser scale, the 9th and the 19th days are also noted as days when the protector deities should be invoked and kept in mind. These, too, are days of purification. And there are more, still finer, subdivisions that are made. This brief overview should give you a general idea of how the monthly lunar cycle is broken up into days during which certain kinds of activities or observances are appropriate.

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Lunar Practice Days Below you will find a list of some of the major lunar days in the Tibetan practice calendar for each month, followed by activities for specific lunar months. There are still further divisions that we have not included here, in order to keep this simple. In the first column is the number of the lunar month, and in the second column the lunar day of the month. Note that “00” means this happens each month.

M |D | Observance 00|03|Yoga Tantra -- All Seeing 00|03|Dharmapala Tsiu Marpo 00|03|Five Dakinis Practice (afternoon) 00|03|White Tara Practice (morning) 00|05|Dakini Day (minor) 00|08|Guru Rinpoche Day (minor) 00|08|Medicine Buddha Day 00|08|Tara Puja 00|08|Shri Hevajra 00|08|Gyalwa Gyatso - Red Chenrezig (morning) 00|08|Milarepa Guru Yoga (afternoon) 00|09|All Dharmapalas (dharma protectors) (minor) 00|10|Daka/Heruka Day (Male Deities) Feast Day 00|10|Heart Yoga Practice 00|10|Vajrayogini 00|10|Guru Rinpoche (afternoon) 00|13|12 Guardian Deity Offerings 00|13|Purification (minor) Prayer-Flag day 00|13|Fire Puja - Purification 00|14|Shri Hevajra 00|14|The 1002 Buddhas (Kshitagarbha Sutra) 00|14|Dharmapala Magzor Gyalmo, Shri Devi 27

00|14|Sojung (confession practice) (3 a.m.) 00|15|Amitabha Buddha Day/Full Moon Day 00|15|Chakrasamvara Practice (morning) 00|15|Full Moon Assembly 00|15|All Peaceful Deities 00|15|Amitabha Buddha 00|15|Drikung Phowa Practice 00|15|Chakrasmvara (morning) 00|15|Thang Lha (local deity) Afternoon 00|18|One of the Four Guardian Kings 00|18|Mahakala 00|19|Medicine Buddha 00|19|All Dharmapalas (protectors) (minor) 00|21|Chenresik 00|23|Tara/Healing (major) 00|23|Vajravarahi Practice 00|23|Shri Hevajra 00|23|Vairochana Buddha 00|23|Green Tara (long form) (morning) 00|23|Vajrayogini (short form) (afternoon) 00|24|Kshitagarbha Sutra 00|25|Dakini Day (Female Deities) Feast Day 00|25|Heart Yoga Practice 00|25|Vajrayogini 00|25|Guru Rinpoche (morning) 00|25|Vajrayogini (long form) (afternoon) 00|27|Purification 00|28|Purification 00|28|Amitabha Buddha 00|29|Dharma Protector Day (major) 00|29|Medicine Buddha 00|29|Shri Hevajra 00|29|All Dharmapalas (protectors) 00|29|Sojung (confession practice) 00|29|Dharmapala Day 00|29|Mahakala (all day) 00|29|Kunrik (purification practice) (3 a.m.) 00|30|30th Lunar Day New Moon 28

00|30|Buddha Day, Reading of Sutras 00|30|Vairochana Practice 00|30|Shakyamuni Buddha (100-fold merit) 00|30|Sojung (confession practice) 00|30|Drikung Phowa Practice The above list represents only some of the ways these 30 lunar days each month are observed. These are the days observed by Tibetan lamas of one lineage or another. What follows is a somewhat extensive list of Buddhist practices for specific months. Note: “(B)” stands for standard Western-style birth day and “(A)” stands for “anniversary,” which is the Tibetan way of saying the day they passed into nirvana. This list contains many saints and lamas from different lineages. It would take an entire book to describe who these saints are. Those of you in a particular lineage will recognize the teachers in your lineage. Otherwise, a web search may help. 01|01|Losar, Tibetan New Year 01|03|Dragshul Tinley Rinchen (A) 01|04|Monlam, 3 wks. Festival 01|05|Drikung Konchok Ratna 01|05|Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab 01|08|Rangjung Dorje, 3rd Karmapa (B) 01|08|H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche (B) 01|08|9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (A) 01|08|6th Karmapa, Tongwa Donden 01|08|Change all House Prayer Flags 01|09|Karmapa Long Life (9th through the 15th day) 01|10|Cho Nga Chopa, 10th to 15th day 01|10|H.H. 12th Gyalwang Druchen (B) 01|13|7th Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso (B) 01|13|Jikme Trinle Ozer, Dodrupchen 01|14|Milarepa's (A) 29

01|15|Chonga Chopa – Buddha‟s Miracles 01|15|7th Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso (A) 01|15|Marpa (A) 01|15|Buddha's Incarnation 01|15|Garab Dorje (B) 01|15|Magha Puja (Theravadin) 01|21|14th Karmapa, Thekchog Dorje (1868) (A) 01|21|1st Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, (A) 01|21|Gorampa Sonam Sengge (A) 01|23|Vajrayogini (23rd through 27th day) 01|24|13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje (1797) (A) 01|24|Drukchen Dungse 01|25|Mon Lam Ends (studies begin) 01|26|Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (A) 01|28|9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje 01|28|Green Tara 02|02|Orgyen Terdak Lingpa 02|03|White Tara (3rd through 9th days) (morning) 02|03|Five Dakinis (afternnoon) (3rd through 9th day) 02|05|Jamyang Shepa 02|06|Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche (A) 02|08|6th Karmapa, Thongwa Donden (1416) (B) 02|08|Sangye Yarjon 02|08|Yabje Kunga Rinchen of the Drolma Podrang (A) 02|12|1st Shamar, Trakpa Senge 02|12|Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen (A) 02|15|10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje (A) 02|15|Gyalton Rinpoche 02|20|Do Khyentse 02|22|Hevajra (22nd through 28th day) 02|23|5th Shamarpa, Konchok Yenlag (A) 02|24|3th Jamgon Kontrul Rinpoche (1992) (A) 02|24|8th Tai Situ, Chokyi Jugne (1774) (A) 02|26|Khuwon Kunga Gyaltsen 02|26|Jetsun Taranata (A) 02|29|2nd Shamarpa, Kacho Wangpo (A) 30

02|29|Expulsion of scapegoat demon 02|30|Loter Wangpo (A) 02|30|Khangsar Jampa Sonam Zangpo (A) 02|30|Tinley Rinpoche of the Phuntsok Podrang (A) 03|01|Kalachakra New Year 03|02|Vajrakilaya (1st through 3rd day) 03|03|2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi 03|09|6th Karmapa, Thongwa Donden (B) 03|09|Kalachakra (9th through the 15th) 03|10|Tsechu: 8 Aspects of Guru Rinpoche 03|12|4th Karmapa, Rolpe Dorje (B) 03|15|Kalachakra Tantra Revealed by Buddha 03|15|Magha Puja Day (Sangha Day) 03|16|Terton Mingjur Dorje 03|18|Sazang Pagpa Shonnu Lodro (A) 03|18|Dezhung Rinpoche (A) 03|19|1st Shamarpa, Dragpa Senge 03|22|Tashi Paldrup 03|25|5th Dalai Lama (A) 03|26|15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje (1922) (A) 03|26|Drikung Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon 03|28|10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje (B) 03|29|Tarlam Mahasiddha Kunga Namgyal (A) 03|29|L. K. Jamyang Tupten Lungtok Gyaltsen (A) 03|29|Jamgon Ngagwang Legpa (A) 03|30|Sangye Lingpa 04|04|Vajrakilaya (4th through 10th day) (main practice) 04|07|7th-15th day Sakya summer festival 04|07|Birth of the Buddha 04|08|Jamgon Kongtrul II, Khyentse Ozer (A) 04|08|Kalu Rinpoche, (A) 04|08|Khenchen Ngagwang Chodag (A) 04|11|Vajrakilaya Practice (concludes) 04|12|Khenchen Dampa Dorje Chang 04|12|Khangsar Khenchen Lama Dampa (A) 04|15|Sangyepa - Buddha attained Enlightenment (A) 31

04|15|Poson, Arhat Mahinda in Ceylon 04|15|Saga Dawa - Buddha Enlightened 04|15|Saga Dawa Dungdrup Puja (100 million mantras) 04|23|Mahasidda Virupa (A) (7-day celebration) 04|25|Ngorchen Kungpa Zangpo (A) 04|29|Mipham (A) 04|30|Nyala Pema Dudul 05|01|Chakrasamvara 7-days 05|01|Chogyur Lingpa 05|02|Sachen Kunga Lodro 05|04|3rd Shamarpa, Chokyi Lodro 05|05|Medical Buddhas 05|06|Khyentse Chokyi Lodro (A) 05|09|Chakrasamvara (9th through 15 day) 05|14|Khedrup Tenpa Dhargyey 05|15|Auspicious Fire-Puja Day 05|15|Dzam Ling Chi Sang - Local Deities Day 05|15|Theravadin 1st Buddha teaching 05|17|Lam Rim teaching (one month) 05|17|Nyoshul Lungtok 05|18|Khenpo Ngakchung 05|18|Shechen Gyaltsab Pema Namgyal 05|21|Jamyang Khyentse Wangchuk (A) 05|21|Magto Ludrop Gyatso (A) 05|23|Cho (23rd through 27th days) 05|24|Kungtok Shedrup Tenpe Nyima 06|04|Cho-Kor Duchen: Buddha Teaches Noble Truths 06|04|Deer Park Teaching 06|05|Chod - Practice 5 days 06|10|Guru Padmasambhava (A) 06|10|Sakya Lotsawa Kunga Sonam (A) 06|14|3rd Karmapa, Ranjung Dorje (1339) (A) 06|15|Gampopa (A) 06|15|Varsha: Rain Retreat (45 days) 06|15|Begin of Summer Retreat 06|18|5th Karmapa, Deshin Shegpa (1384) (B) 32

06|20|Buton Rinchen Drub (A) 06|20|Ngawang Tutop Wanchug (A) 06|23|Chos Cho (23rd-29th day) 06|25|Lama Sampa Sonam Gyaltsen (A) 06|29|Ngor Ponlop Jamyang Ngagwang Legdrub (A) 07|02|3rd Shamarpa, Konchok Yenlak 07|04|13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje 07|05|Rigdzin Kumaradza 07|05|Panchen Shakya Shribhadra (A) 07|07|9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje(1556) (B) 07|09|Rain of Wisdom Poetry (9th-15th day) 07|10|Jomo Menmo 07|12|11th Karmapa, Yeshe Dorje (1702) (A) 07|12|Sakyapa Ngag Chang Kunga Rinchen (A) 07|14|Ngag Chang Kunga Rinchen 07|15|4th Karmapa, Rolpe Dorje (1383) (A) 07|15|Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (A) 07|15|Kunkhyen Pema Karpo 07|15|Sacrifice for the dead (India) 07|15|Trapa Ngonshe discovers 4 medical tantras 07|15|Tsarchen Losal Gyaltso (A) 07|15|Zhuchen Tsultrim Rinchen (A) 07|21|Red Chenrezik Mandala (7 days) 07|23|5th Shamarpa (1383) (A) 07|25|Pagmodrupa 07|29|2nd Shamarpa, Kha Chod Wangpo 08|01|5th Karmapa, Deshin Skekpa 08|03|H.E. 13th Shamarpa Rinpoche (1952) (B) 08|05|H.H. Sakya Trizin (B) 08|08|The Water Festival 08|08|Red Chenresik (8th-14th day) 08|10|15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje (B) 08|10|5th Shamarpa, Konchok Yenlag (B) 08|15|5th Karmapa, Deshin Shegpa (1415) (A) 08|16|H.E. Gyaltshab Rinpoche (1954) (A) 08|19|Khyentse Rinpoche (1991) (A) 33

08|21|Khyabgon Sakya Trizin (A) 08|23|8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje (A) 08|25|Rigdzin Kumaradza 08|25|Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu 08|30|13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje (1733) (A) 08|30|3rd Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodro Chokyi Senge (B) 09|03|Terton Karma Jigme Lingpa 5 days 09|03|2th Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1282) (A) 09|04|Dagchen Lodro Gyaltsen (A) 09|04|Tartse Jampa Kungpa Tenpai Gyaltsen (A) 09|08|Beginning of Jigche Choto 09|09|Khyungpo Naljor (A) 09|09|16th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje (A) 09|09|Shi Tro (Guru Rinpoche) (9th-13th day) 09|10|Terton Sogyal 09|14|Bokar Rinpoche (1940) (B) 09|14|Khyungpo Naljor 09|14|Khon Konchog Gyalpo (A) 09|14|Sachen Kungpa Nyingpo (A) 09|15|Katrina Puja 09|18|Gonma Jigdal Dagchen Sakya (A) 09|21|Jetsun Lorepa 09|21|Konchok Lhundrup 09|22|Founding of Karma Shri Nalanda, Rumtek 09|22|Lha Bab Duchen: Descent from Tushita Heaven 09|22|Exorcism Tor-Dok 09|25|Adzom Drukpa 09|25|Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje 09|28|6th Shamarpa, Chokyi Wangchug 10|03|Sangdu Choto (Gyume) 10|03|Vairochana (7 days) 10|04|8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje (B) 10|06|Dolpo Sangye 10|08|Muchen Sempa Chenpo (A) 10|10|Jamgon Kongtrul the Great, Lodro Thaye (B) 10|10|Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (B) 34

10|15|Doring Kungpang Chenpo (A) 10|16|Pawo Tsuklag Trengwa (A) 10|20|Gyalse Togme (A) 10|21|Ling Rinpoche 10|23|Kunrik (purificantion (23rd-27th day) 10|24|Chamchen Choje 10|25|Je Tsongkhpa (Ganden Ngamcho) (A) 10|30|12th Karmapa, Changchub Dorje (1732) (A) 10|30|Mitrukpa (purification) (30th-31st day) 11|01|Tibetan New Year (old style) 11|02|8th Shamarpa, Chokyi Tondrup 11|03|1st Karmapa, Dusem Khyenpa (A) 11|04|8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje (1507) (B) 11|06|Ngenpa Gu Dzom - 9 Bad Omens 11|09|14th Karmapa, Thekchog Dorje (B) 11|11|Lobpon Sonam Tsemo (A) 11|14|Panchen Sonam Drakpa 11|14|Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (A) 11|15|10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje 11|16|8th Tai Situ, Chokyi Jungne (B) 11|17|Winter Doctrine Festival Month 11|18|H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche 11|19|Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen 11|19|Talung Thangpa 11|22|Dragon Chogyal Phagpa 11|22|Dorje Bernagchen (9 days) 11|22|Wrathful Dorje Drolod (9 days) 11|22|Drogon Chogyal Pagpa (A) 11|22|Dezhung Ajam Rinpoche (A) 11|26|Jamgon Kongtrul parinirvna the Great 11|29|Dharma Protector Offering Day (Gutor) 11|30|Night next year's deaths known 11|30|House Cleaning Day 12|01|Sonam Losar (Farmer's New Year) 12|02|Tormas begin to be made 12|03|3rd to 9th, Protector Worship 35

12|05|Beginning Demchok Choto 12|10|14th Karmapa, Thekchog Dorje (1799) (B) 12|14|Rongton Sheja Kunrig (A) 12|15|7th Shamarpa, Yeshe Nyingpo 12|15|Magha Puja, Sangha Day (Theravadin) 12|16|Phurbu Cycle Ritual 12|17|Lochen Rinchen Zangpo (A) 12|17|Tarlam Jamyang Losal (A) 12|18|Longchenpa (A) * * 12|18|Rigdzin Chokyi Drakpa 12|21|Phurbu ritual (upper action+) 12|22|Phurbu ritual,(upper action+) 12|23|Phurbu cycle ritual 12|23|Great Mahakala (23rd-29th day) 12|25|4th Shamarpa, Chokyi Trakpa 12|25|Phurbu cycle ritual 12|25|Khenchen Shonnu Lodro (A) 12|28|Phurbu ritual (lower action-) 12|29|Gutor (Exorcism) 12|29|Phurbu ritual, (lower action-) 12|29|Sacred Dances, followed by Losar 12|30|Festival of Good Omen begins 12|30|House Cleaning Day Tibet 12|30|Tashi (good luck ceremony) (in monasteries)

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Tithies: The 30 Lunar Days

The 30 Lunar Days or Tithies Tibetans operate on lunar days, rather than the solar days we use here in the West. Actually, they use both solar and lunar days, but the lunar day is usually considered the more important of the two. Tibetans, Chinese, Indians, and many other Asian countries divide the monthly lunar cycle into 30 parts, each 12- degrees of solunar angular separation, starting from the moment of the New Moon (lunar day one), and going around the cycle, ending in the 37

30th day, the day just before the moment of the New Moon. Each lunar day has a distinct meaning, and most Asians plan events around the particular lunar day and its qualities. Here is a brief description of all thirty lunar days, something about what they might be good for.

Lunar Day 1: Increase This lunar is said to be favorable for most activities, including performing rituals and religious festivals, in general, and taking initiations. Travel is to be avoided Favorable for Building Favorable Marriage Those born on this lunar day may have to be careful of the company they keep. Overall, they are very serious, and lacking in simple enjoyment. There may be some disgrace or scandal.

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Lunar Day 2: Auspicious This is a good lunar day for laying foundations and building things, in general. Also good for marriages, initiation, rituals, and religious ceremonies. This is good for giving and making offerings, resolutions, and spiritual practice of all kinds. But in all this, it is said that very little comes of any activity and the result is generally unproductive. However, there can be success from traveling on this day. Those born on this lunar day may be lacking in friends, love, and in affection, and may like spouses other than their own. There is a lack of pure virtue and cleanliness.

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Lunar Day 3: Powerful This lunar day is good for cutting the hair and finger nails, and anything related to caring for the body, beauty, and health. Good for undertaking projects and building things. Favorable for Building Those born on this lunar day may may lack motivation and be lazy and, in general, restless. Wealth is obtained and the direction north-east is favored.

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Lunar Day 4: Cruelty On these days, te favorable direction is the West, but travel is to be avoided, and, if taken, may bring the fear of death. This is not good for undertaking construction or new projects. Not Favorable for Hair Cutting Those born on this lunar day may be very competitive and fierce about taking on a challenge and removing whatever obstructs them. Enjoyment of food, drink, and sex. Often rich, educated, and generous, but with a cruel streak.

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Lunar Day 5: Prosperity A lunar day of excellent qualities, education, and obtaining wealth. Very good for helping and giving to others, but not likely to receive the same in return. A successful day for the vocation and victory, in general, and travel in any direction is favorable. Also favorable for the study of sacred texts, science, and philosophy. Those born on this lunar day are kind hearted.

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Lunar Day 6: Splendid Efforts undertaken on this day, new projects, etc. will bring moderate success. This is not a day for travel, and doing so may bring losses. Not Favorable for Journeys Not Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Hair Cutting Those born on this lunar day are may be subject to some bombast, perhaps arguments, and egotism, in general, and a yearning to be in the spotlight.

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Lunar Day 7: Friendliness A very auspicious day for building and purchasing things, and undertaking new projects. Traveling on this day is also very favorable. Good for business and exchange of all kinds. Favorable for Journeys Those born on this lunar day are good for obtaining wealth and especially fortunate with children. The favorable direction is South. Friendly nature. Likes to take charge.

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Lunar Day 8: Conflicts This is not a good lunar day to undertake new projects and for construction, in general. However, very good for obtaining wealth, increasing resources, health and healing, and honing expertise in the chosen field. The favorable direction is the South-East, but travel in any direction in this lunar day may bring illness. Favorable for Hair Cutting Not favorable for Marriage Those born on this lunar day have love for marriage and family. Sensuality is strong. Interest in religion and truth.

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Lunar Day 9: Fierce Travel during this lunar day is not good,and it is said the person may not return. Good for all business and exchange, and taking charge and being the boss. Constructive efforts and new projects produce only moderate gains. Favorable for Building Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Marriage In general, those born on this lunar day are aggressive and anger is never far. They enjoy children, the opposite sex, and education is favored. Also worship.

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Lunar Day 10: Gentleness This is an excellent day for travel and doing so may result in gains. In general, this lunar day is happy and good for relationships. Excellent for undertaking new projects and construction, in general. The favorable direction is the North-West and this day is good for speaking. Favorable for Feast Days, Offerings Favorable for Building Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Journeys Favorable for Marriage Those born on this day have a good sense of right and wrong, although the tone may be somewhat serious.

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Lunar Day 11: Bliss A very auspicious day for travel, with good results. A day that produces fame and honor from society, but not good for undertaking new projects or construction. The direction North is favorable. Favorable for Building Favorable for Hair Cutting For those born on this lunar day, wealth is very good and marriages and children are favored. Intelligent and pure of mind. Very good for religious practice.

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Lunar Day 12: Splendid A good lunar day to undertake new projects and for construction, in general. Not a good day for traveling, and doing so may result in the loss of wealth. Very favorable for study and learning. Those born on this lunar day are somewhat restless, and the mind may wander.

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Lunar Day 13: Victory Travel on this lunar day is said to be favorable for making friends and creating alliances. A good day for undertaking new projects and beginning construction, as well as education.

A birth on this lunar day produces kindness, charity, and hospitality. Good for making friends, pleasures, and enjoyment of all kinds.

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Lunar Day 14: Fierce No travel is to be undertaken on this day. The direction East is favorable. Starting new projects and construction in general is not favored,and the day is somewhat aggressive, even bold and daring. Not Favorable for Journey Not Favorable for Hair Cutting Those born on this day will receive honor from society. Wealth is favored and religious activities. Hot temper.

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Lunar Day 15: Gentleness Full Moon Travel is forbidden on this lunar day. Good for invoking the ancestors and religious practice and ceremonies. Good for wealth and wisdom, and rightful actions. New projects and construction should not be undertaken. Favorable for Action (Purification) Not Favorable for Journeys Not Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Agriculture Not Favorable for Hair Cutting Those born on this lunar day have a fondness for food and the partners of others.

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Lunar Day 16: Increase This lunar is said to be favorable for most activities, including performing rituals and religious festivals, in general, and taking initiations. Travel is to be avoided. Not Favorable for Hair Cutting One born on this lunar day has to be careful of the company they keep. Overall, very serious, lacking simple enjoyment, and there may be some disgrace or scandal.

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Lunar Day 17: Auspicious This is a good lunar day for laying foundations and building things, in general. Also good for marriages, initiation, rituals, and religious ceremonies. This is good for giving and making offerings, resolutions, and spiritual practice of all kinds. But in all this, it is said that very little comes of any activity, and the result is generally unproductive. However, there is success from traveling on this day. Not Favorable for Hair Cutting A person born on this lunar day may be lacking in friends, love, and in affection, and may like spouses other than their own. There is a lack of pure virtue and cleanliness.

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Lunar Day 18: Powerful This lunar day is good for cutting the hair and finger nails, and anything related to caring for the body, beauty, and health. Good for undertaking projects and building things. Persons born on this lunar day may lack motivation and be lazy and, in general, restless. Wealth is obtained and the direction north-east is favored.

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Lunar Day 19: Cruelty The favorable direction is the West, but travel is to be avoided, and, if taken, may bring the fear of death. This is not good for undertaking construction or new projects. Favorable for Building Favorable for Marriage Persons born on this day are very competitive and fierce about taking on a challenge and removing whatever obstructs them. They enjoy food, drink, and sex. Often rich, educated, and generous, but with a cruel streak.

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Lunar Day 20: Prosperity A lunar day of excellent qualities, and good for education and obtaining wealth. A successful day for the vocation and victory, in general, and travel in any direction is favorable. Also favorable for the study of sacred texts, science, and philosophy. Favorable for Building A person born on this lunar day is very good for helping and giving to others, but not likely to receive the same in return. Kind hearted.

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Lunar Day 21: Splendid Efforts undertaken on this day, new projects, etc. will bring moderate success. This is not a day for travel, and doing so may bring losses Not Favorable for Journeys Persons born on this day will be prone to some bombast, perhaps arguments, and egotism, in general, and a yearning to be in the spotlight.

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Lunar Day 22: Friendliness A very auspicious day for building and purchasing things, and undertaking new projects. Traveling on this day is also very favorable. The favorable direction is South. Favorable for Journeys Persons born on this lunar day are good at obtaining wealth and especially fortunate with children. Also good for business and exchange of all kinds. Friendly nature. They like to take charge.

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Lunar Day 23: Conflicts This is not a good lunar day to undertake new projects and for construction, in general. However, very good for obtaining wealth, increasing resources, health and healing, and honing expertise in the chosen field. The favorable direction is the South-East, but travel in any direction in this lunar day may bring illness. Favorable for Building Not favorable for Agriculture Those born on this lunar day will have love for marriage and family. Sensuality is strong. Also, an Interest in religion and truth.

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Lunar Day 24: Fierce Travel during this lunar day is not good and it is said the person may not return. Good for all business and exchange, and taking charge and being the boss. Constructive efforts and new projects produce only moderate gains. Favorable for Building Favorable for Journeys Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Agriculture Those born on this lunar are generally aggressive, and anger is never far. Enjoyment of children, the opposite sex, and education is favored. Also worship.

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Lunar Day 25: Gentleness This is an excellent day for travel and doing so may result in gains. In general, this lunar day is happy and good for relationships. Excellent for undertaking new projects and construction, in general. The favorable direction is the North-West and this day is good for speaking. Favorable for Feast Days, Offerings Favorable for Building Favorable for Journeys A person born on this lunar day has a good sense of right and wrong, although the tone may be somewhat serious.

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Lunar Day 26: Bliss A very auspicious day for travel, with good results. A day that produces fame and honor from society, but not good for undertaking new projects or construction. The direction North is favorable. Favorable for Hair Cutting Not Favorable for Building For those born on this lunar day, wealth is very good. Marriages and children are favored. Intelligent and pure of mind. Very good for religious practice.

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Lunar Day 27: Splendid A good lunar day to undertake new projects and for construction, in general. Not a good day for traveling, and doing so may result in the loss of wealth. Very favorable for study and learning. Favorable for Hair Cutting Persons born on this lunar day are somewhat restless, and the mind may wander.

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Lunar Day 28: Victory Travel on this lunar day is said to be favorable for making friends and creating alliances. A good day for undertaking new projects and beginning construction, as well as education. Good for making friends, pleasures, and enjoyment of all kinds. A person born on this lunar day has kindness, charity, and hospitality.

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Lunar Day 29: Fierce No travel is to be undertaken on this day. The direction East is favorable. Starting new projects and construction in general is not favored Not Favorable for Journeys Not Favorable for Agriculture A person born on this day is somewhat aggressive, even bold and daring. Honor from society may come. Wealth is favored and religious activities. Hot temper.

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Lunar Day 30: Ancestral Travel is forbidden on this lunar day. Good for invoking the ancestors, religious practice, and ceremonies. New projects and construction should not be undertaken. The direction to the South-West is favored. Not Favorable for Journeys Not Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Agriculture Not Favorable for Hair Cutting Persons born on this lunar day may have mental and physical disturbances. There could be a tendency toward cruelty.

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The Karanas: Lunar Half-Days The Karanas are taken from the Kar-Tsi, that part of Tibetan astrology derived from Indian astrology, where they are much used. A Karana is one half a lunar day (tithie) or six degrees of solunar angular separation. Keep in mind that a lunar day is the time it takes the Moon to travel (in relation to the Sun) 12 degrees of arc. There are thirty lunar days in a month and thus sixty Karanas. There are eleven types of Karana, four of them occur just once a month and are called the Fixed Karanas: Kintughna, Chatushpada, Sakuni, and Naga. The other seven are movable and follow one another in strict rotation: Bava, Balava, Kaulava, Taitila, Gara, Vanija, Vishti Each of the Karanas is said to have a particular influence and interpretation, with “Vishti” being the most inauspicious of the group. Nothing of importance is done during the hald lunar day of Vishti. In the Tibetan almanacs the Karana is usually listed for each day as it exists at sunrise, about 5 A.M. of the current calendar day. On the next page is a list of the sixty Karanas, beginning with the moment of the New Moon and extending to the next New Moon.

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30 Lunar Days, Sixty Karanas First half Second half 1 Kintughna Bava 2 Balava Kaulava 3 Taitila Gara 4 Vanija Vishti 5 Bava Balava 6 Kaulava Taitila 7 Gara Vanija 8 Vishti Bava 9 Balava Kaulava 10 Taitila Gara 11 Vanija Vishti 12 Bava Balava 13 Kaulava Taitila 14 Gara Vanija 15 Vishti Bava 16 Balava Kaulava 17 Taitila Gara 18 Vanija Vishti 19 Bava Balava 20 Kaulava Taitila 21 Gara Vanija 22 Vishti Bava 23 Balava Kaulava 24 Taitila Gara 25 Vanija Vishti 26 Bava Balava 27 Kaulava Taitila 28 Gara Vanija 29 Vishti Sakuni 30 Chatushpada Naga

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The Eleven Karanas

Bava Karana An auspicious karana, one excellent for all activities that increase one's strength and vitality - health.

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Balava Karana A karana that is auspicious for undertaking good acts and performing religious practices and ceremonies.

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Kaulava Karana This is a karana that is favorable for relationships, whether friends or lovers - anything done with love. Also good for choosing a spouse.

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Taitila Karana A karana that is auspicious for becoming known and more popular. Also good for things having to do with building homes and construction.

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Gara Karana A karana good for agriculture and anything having to do with the cultivation of the land, planting and sowing seeds, undertaking projects, building, etc.

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Vanija Karana A karana that is excellent for all business and exchange, relating to other people and building permanent relationships.

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Vishti Karana Said not be a good karana for any activity other than being aggressive and attacking enemies and obstacles. This is the "bad" karana and nothing positive should be undertaken.

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Sakuni Karana This karana is favorable for healing and health, in general and for taking medicine and herbs.

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Chatushpada Karana This is the karana of politics and the affairs of state. Also said to be good for animal husbandry.

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Naga Karana A more negative karana, one having to do with aggression, forceful activities, and cruelty, in general.

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Kintughna Karana This is a good karana for marriage and any religious or auspicious ceremony. Also good for virtue, making sacrifices, and good acts, in general.

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The Indian Tithies or Lunar Days The system of “Tithies” or Lunar Days is part of the “KarTsi,” the stream of Tibetan astrology that came to Tibet from India, along with the Kalachakra Tantra and, of course, the Dharma itself. Since much of this book is my attempt to collect and pass on for your review what I have found over the years, it won‟t hurt to list out some of the various details and correspondences connected to this most important topic. Here are the descriptive details: Lunar Day: The Lunar Day Number Keyword:

Key Concept

Comments: Traditional Comments Degrees: The range of degrees of this Tithie Degrees-2: The 2nd half and Karana Karana:

Name of Karana

Nanda: The 1st, 6th and 11 th lunar days are known as Nanda. The the 2nd, 7th and 12th lunar days are known as Bhadra.The 3rd, 8th and 13th lunar days are known as Jaya. The 4th, 9th and 14th lunar days are known as Riktha. The 5th, 10th and 15th lunar days are known as Poorna. Nanda +/-: Nanda rating, “0” is lowest, “00” is next best, and “000” is best Nanda. Planet: Planet connected with the Lunar Day. Nature: Planet‟s nature or temperament. Nakshatra: Lunar Mansion connected with Tithie. Deity:

Assiciated deity. 81

The Indian Tithies or Lunar Days The system of “Tithies” or Lunar Days is part of the “Kar-Tsi,” the stream of Tibetan astrology that came to Tibet from India, along with the Kalachakra Tantra and, of course, the Dharma itself. Since much of this book is my attempt to collect and pass on for your review what I have found over the years, it won‟t hurt to list out some of the various details and correspondences connected to this most important topic. Here are the descriptive details: Lunar Day: The Lunar Day Number Keyword: Key Concept Comments: Traditional Comments Degrees: The range of degrees of this Tithie Degrees-2: The 2nd half and Karana Karana:

Name of Karana

Nanda: The 1st, 6th and 11 th lunar days are known as Nanda. The the 2nd, 7th and 12th lunar days are known as Bhadra.The 3rd, 8th and 13th lunar days are known as Jaya. The 4th, 9th and 14th lunar days are known as Riktha. The 5th, 10th and 15th lunar days are known as Poorna. Nanda +/-: Nanda rating, “0” is lowest, “00” is next best, and “000” is best Nanda. Planet:

Planet connected with the Lunar Day.

Nature:

Planet‟s nature or temperament.

Nakshatra: Lunar Mansion connected with Tithie. Deity:

Assiciated deity.

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Lunar Day: 01 Lunar Day: Pratami Keyword: Seed Is Sown Comments: Favorable day, offerings, vows, practice Degrees: 000-006 Degrees-2 000-012 Karana: Kintughna Nanda: Nanda - Gaining Happiness Nanda +/-: O Planet: Venus Nature: Increasing Nakshatra: Rohini, Krittika Deity: Brahma, Agni Lunar Day: 01 Lunar Day: Pratami Keyword: Seed Is Sown Comments: Degrees: 006-012 Degrees-2 Karana: Bava Nanda: Nanda Nanda +/-: Planet: Venus Nature: Increasing Nakshatra: Rohini, Krittika Deity: Brahma, Agni

83

Lunar Day: 02 Lunar Day: Bava Keyword: Germination Comments: Favorable day, but unproductive Degrees: 012-018 Degrees-2 012-024 Karana: Balava Nanda: Bhadra - Starting Things Nanda +/-: O Planet: Mercury Nature: Auspicious Nakshatra: Rohini Deity: Vidhaatri, Brahma Lunar Day: 02 Lunar Day: Bava Keyword: Germination Comments: Degrees: 018-024 Degrees-2 Karana: kaulava Nanda: Bhadra Nanda +/-: Planet: Mercury Nature: Auspicious Nakshatra: Rohini Deity: Vidhaatri, Brahma

84

Lunar Day: 03 Lunar Day: Tritiya Keyword: Spread The Word Comments: Minor Healing. Start things good Degrees: 024-030 Degrees-2 024-036 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Jaya - Overcome Obstacles Nanda +/-: O Planet: Mars Nature: Strong Nakshatra: Sravana Deity: Vishnu, Gauri Lunar Day: 03 Lunar Day: Tritiya Keyword: Spread The Word Comments: Degrees: 030-036 Degrees-2 Karana: Gara Nanda: Jaya Nanda +/-: Planet: Mars Nature: Strong Nakshatra: Sravana Deity: Vishnu, Gauri

85

Lunar Day: 04 Lunar Day: Chaturthi Keyword: Step Forward Comments: unfruitful day. Degrees: 036-042 Degrees-2 036-048 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Rikta - Destroying Nanda +/-: O Planet: Saturn Nature: Cruel Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Yama, Ganesha Lunar Day: 04 Lunar Day: Chaturthi Keyword: Step Forward Comments: Degrees: 042-048 Degrees-2 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Rikta Nanda +/-: Planet: Saturn Nature: Cruel Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Yama, Ganesha

86

Lunar Day: 05 Lunar Day: Panchami Keyword: Plan It Out Comments: Bad reaction day, moral failure Degrees: 048-054 Degrees-2 048-060 Karana: Bava Nanda: Purna - Harvesting Nanda +/-: O Planet: Jupiter Nature: Prosperous Nakshatra: Mrigasira, Aslesha Deity: Chandra, Sarpa Lunar Day: 05 Lunar Day: Panchami Keyword: Plan It Out Comments: Degrees: 054-060 Degrees-2 Karana: Balava Nanda: Purna Nanda +/-: Planet: Jupiter Nature: Prosperous Nakshatra: Mrigasira, Aslesha Deity: Chandra, Sarpa

87

Lunar Day: 06 Lunar Day: Shashthi Keyword: Handle On It Comments: Not Favorable to Travel Degrees: 060-066 Degrees-2 060-072 Karana: Kaulava Nanda: Nanda - Gaining Happiness Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Venus Nature: Glorious Nakshatra: Deity: Kartikeya Lunar Day: 06 Lunar Day: Shashthi Keyword: Handle On It Comments: Degrees: 066-072 Degrees-2 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Nanda Nanda +/-: Planet: Venus Nature: Glorious Nakshatra: Deity: Kartikeya

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Lunar Day: 07 Lunar Day: Saptami Keyword: Warts And All Comments: Favorable to Travel Degrees: 072-078 Degrees-2 072-084 Karana: Gara Nanda: Bhadra - Starting Things Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Mercury Nature: Friendly Nakshatra: Jyesthra Deity: Indra, Ravi Lunar Day: 07 Lunar Day: Saptami Keyword: Warts And All Comments: Degrees: 078-084 Degrees-2 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Bhadra Nanda +/-: Planet: Mercury Nature: Friendly Nakshatra: Jyesthra Deity: Indra, Ravi

89

Lunar Day: 08 Lunar Day: Ashami Keyword: Acceptance Comments: Emotional upset, bad morals Degrees: 084-090 Degrees-2 084-096 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Jaya - Overcome Obstacles Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Mars Nature: Conflictual Nakshatra: Dhanishta, Ardra Deity: Vasus, Siva Lunar Day: 08 Lunar Day: Ashami Keyword: Come Across Comments: Degrees: 090-096 Degrees-2 Karana: Bava Nanda: Jaya Nanda +/-: Planet: Mars Nature: Conflictual Nakshatra: Dhanishta, Ardra Deity: Vasus, Siva

90

Lunar Day: 09 Lunar Day: Navami Keyword: Make The Point Comments: Good. long journeys, marriage, teachings Degrees: 096-102 Degrees-2 096-108 Karana: Balava Nanda: Rikta - Destroying Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Saturn Nature: Pierce Nakshatra: Aslesha Deity: Sarpa, Durga Lunar Day: 09 Lunar Day: Navami Keyword: Make The Point Comments: Degrees: 102-108 Degrees-2 Karana: Kaulava Nanda: Rikta Nanda +/-: Planet: Saturn Nature: Pierce Nakshatra: Aslesha Deity: Sarpa, Durga

91

Lunar Day: 10 Lunar Day: Dasami Keyword: Lock It In Comments: Daka Day. Good travel, everything Degrees: 108-114 Degrees-2 108-120 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Purna - Harvesting Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Jupiter Nature: Gentle Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Dharmaraja Lunar Day: 10 Lunar Day: Dasami Keyword: Lock It In Comments: Degrees: 114-120 Degrees-2 Karana: Gara Nanda: Purna Nanda +/-: Planet: Jupiter Nature: Gentle Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Dharmaraja

92

Lunar Day: 11 Lunar Day: Ekadasi Keyword: Field Response Comments: Good firm action, starting, spiritual Degrees: 120-126 Degrees-2 120-132 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Nanda - Gaining Happiness Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Venus Nature: Blissful Nakshatra: Ardra, Uttarashadra Deity: Rudra, Visvadevas Lunar Day: 11 Lunar Day: Ekadasi Keyword: Field Response Comments: Degrees: 126-132 Degrees-2 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Nanda Nanda +/-: Planet: Venus Nature: Blissful Nakshatra: Ardra, Uttarashadra Deity: Rudra, Visvadevas

93

Lunar Day: 12 Lunar Day: Dvadasi Keyword: Embody It Comments: Day of Wisdom Degrees: 132-138 Degrees-2 132-144 Karana: Bava Nanda: Bhadra - Starting Things Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Mercury Nature: Glorious Nakshatra: Hasta, Sravana Deity: Savitri, Vishnu Lunar Day: 12 Lunar Day: Dvadasi Keyword: Embody It Comments: Degrees: 138-144 Degrees-2 Karana: Balava Nanda: Bhadra Nanda +/-: Planet: Mercury Nature: Glorious Nakshatra: Hasta, Sravana Deity: Savitri, Vishnu

94

Lunar Day: 13 Lunar Day: Trayodasi Keyword: Extension Comments: Good clarity, speed, Skillful Degrees: 144-150 Degrees-2 144-156 Karana: Kaulava Nanda: Jaya - Overcome Obstacles Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Mars Nature: Victorious Nakshatra: Deity: Kamadeva Lunar Day: 13 Lunar Day: Trayodasi Keyword: Extension Comments: Degrees: 150-156 Degrees-2 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Jaya Nanda +/-: Planet: Mars Nature: Victorious Nakshatra: Deity: Kamadeva

95

Lunar Day: 14 Lunar Day: Chaturdasi Keyword: Infrastructure Comments: Not Favorable to Travel Degrees: 156-162 Degrees-2 156-168 Karana: Gara Nanda: Rikta - Destroying Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Saturn Nature: Fierce Nakshatra: Ardra Deity: Kali, Siva Lunar Day: 14 Lunar Day: Chaturdasi Keyword: Infrastructure Comments: Degrees: 163-168 Degrees-2 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Rikta Nanda +/-: Planet: Saturn Nature: Fierce Nakshatra: Ardra Deity: Kali, Siva

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Lunar Day: 15 Lunar Day: Purnima Keyword: Completion Comments: Assembly. Bad travel. Unproductive Degrees: 168-174 Degrees-2 168-180 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Purna - Harvesting Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Jupiter Nature: Gentle Nakshatra: Uttarashdra, Mrigasira Deity: Visvadevas, Chandra Lunar Day: 15 Lunar Day: Purnima Keyword: Completion Comments: Degrees: 174-180 Degrees-2 Karana: Bava Nanda: Purna Nanda +/-: Planet: Jupiter Nature: Gentle Nakshatra: Uttarashdra, Mrigasira Deity: Visvadevas, Chandra

97

Lunar Day: 16 Lunar Day: Pratami Keyword: Fullness Comments: Competition, speed, clarity. Good day. Degrees: 180-186 Degrees-2 180-192 Karana: Balava Nanda: Nanda - Gaining Happiness Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Venus Nature: Increasing Nakshatra: Rohini, Krittika Deity: Brahma, Agni Lunar Day: 16 Lunar Day: Pratami Keyword: Fullness Comments: Degrees: 186-192 Degrees-2 Karana: Kaulava Nanda: Nanda Nanda +/-: Planet: Venus Nature: Increasing Nakshatra: Rohini, Krittika Deity: Brahma, Agni

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Lunar Day: 17 Lunar Day: Bava Keyword: FullBodied Comments: Dangerous Day. Bad reactions Degrees: 192-198 Degrees-2 192-210 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Bhadra - Starting Things Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Mercury Nature: Auspicious Nakshatra: Rohini Deity: Vidhaatri, Brahma Lunar Day: 17 Lunar Day: Bava Keyword: FullBodied Comments: Degrees: 198-204 Degrees-2 Karana: Gara Nanda: Bhadra Nanda +/-: Planet: Mercury Nature: Auspicious Nakshatra: Rohini Deity: Vidhaatri, Brahma

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Lunar Day: 18 Lunar Day: Tirtiya Keyword: Blink Comments: Dangerous Day, bad for marality Degrees: 204-210 Degrees-2 204-222 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Jaya - Overcome Obstacles Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Mars Nature: Strong Nakshatra: Sravana Deity: Vishnu, Gauri Lunar Day: 18 Lunar Day: Tirtiya Keyword: Blink Comments: Degrees: 210-216 Degrees-2 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Jaya Nanda +/-: Planet: Mars Nature: Strong Nakshatra: Sravana Deity: Vishnu, Gauri

100

Lunar Day: 19 Lunar Day: Chaturthi Keyword: The Dawn Comments: Good Day to Begin Things Degrees: 216-222 Degrees-2 216-234 Karana: Bava Nanda: Rikta - Destroying Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Saturn Nature: Cruel Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Yama, Ganesha Lunar Day: 19 Lunar Day: Chaturthi Keyword: The Dawn Comments: Degrees: 222-228 Degrees-2 Karana: Balava Nanda: Rikta Nanda +/-: Planet: Saturn Nature: Cruel Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Yama, Ganesha

101

Lunar Day: 20 Lunar Day: Panchami Keyword: Me and Mine Comments: Good Day for action Degrees: 228-234 Degrees-2 228-246 Karana: Kaulava Nanda: Purna - Harvesting Nanda +/-: OOO Planet: Jupiter Nature: Prosperous Nakshatra: Mrigasira, Aslesha Deity: Chandra, Sarpa Lunar Day: 20 Lunar Day: Panchami Keyword: Me and Mine Comments: Degrees: 234-240 Degrees-2 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Purna Nanda +/-: Planet: Jupiter Nature: Prosperous Nakshatra: Mrigasira, Aslesha Deity: Chandra, Sarpa

102

Lunar Day: 21 Lunar Day: Shashthi Keyword: Party Is Over Comments: Bad Day for Travel Degrees: 240-246 Degrees-2 240-258 Karana: Gara Nanda: Nanda - Gaining Happiness Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Venus Nature: Glorious Nakshatra: Deity: Kartikeya Lunar Day: 21 Lunar Day: Shashthi Keyword: Party Is Over Comments: Degrees: 246-252 Degrees-2 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Nanda Nanda +/-: Planet: Venus Nature: Glorious Nakshatra: Deity: Kartikeya

103

Lunar Day: 22 Lunar Day: Saptami Keyword: Salvage Comments: Good Travel Day Degrees: 252-258 Degrees-2 252-270 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Bhadra - Starting Things Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Mercury Nature: Friendly Nakshatra: Jyesthra Deity: Indra, Ravi Lunar Day: 22 Lunar Day: Saptami Keyword: Salvage Comments: Degrees: 258-264 Degrees-2 Karana: Bava Nanda: Bhadra Nanda +/-: Planet: Mercury Nature: Friendly Nakshatra: Jyesthra Deity: Indra, Ravi

104

Lunar Day: 23 Lunar Day: Ashami Keyword: Conservation Comments: Good action day, begin construction Degrees: 264-270 Degrees-2 264-282 Karana: Balava Nanda: Jaya - Overcome Obstacles Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Mars Nature: Conflictual Nakshatra: Dhanishta, Ardra Deity: Vasus, Siva Lunar Day: 23 Lunar Day: Ashami Keyword: Conservation Comments: Degrees: 270-276 Degrees-2 Karana: Kaulava Nanda: Jaya Nanda +/-: Planet: Mars Nature: Conflictual Nakshatra: Dhanishta, Ardra Deity: Vasus, Siva

105

Lunar Day: 24 Lunar Day: Navami Keyword: Detachment Comments: Good travel day. Fruitful activities Degrees: 276-282 Degrees-2 276-294 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Rikta - Destroying Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Saturn Nature: Pierce Nakshatra: Aslesha Deity: Sarpa, Durga Lunar Day: 24 Lunar Day: Navami Keyword: Detachment Comments: Degrees: 282-288 Degrees-2 Karana: Gara Nanda: Rikta Nanda +/-: Planet: Saturn Nature: Pierce Nakshatra: Aslesha Deity: Sarpa, Durga

106

Lunar Day: 25 Lunar Day: Dasami Keyword: Observation Comments: Dakini Day. Good Travel. Degrees: 288-294 Degrees-2 288-306 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Purna - Harvesting Nanda +/-: OO Planet: Jupiter Nature: Gentle Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Dharmaraja Lunar Day: 25 Lunar Day: Dasami Keyword: Observation Comments: Degrees: 294-300 Degrees-2 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Purna Nanda +/-: Planet: Jupiter Nature: Gentle Nakshatra: Bharani Deity: Dharmaraja

107

Lunar Day: 26 Lunar Day: Ekadasi Keyword: The Critic Comments: Goof for vows, offerings Degrees: 300-306 Degrees-2 300-318 Karana: Bava Nanda: Nanda - Gaining Happiness Nanda +/-: O Planet: Venus Nature: Blissful Nakshatra: Ardra, Uttarashadra Deity: Rudra, Visvadevas Lunar Day: 26 Lunar Day: Ekadasi Keyword: The Critic Comments: Degrees: 306-312 Degrees-2 Karana: Balava Nanda: Nanda Nanda +/-: Planet: Venus Nature: Blissful Nakshatra: Ardra, Uttarashadra Deity: Rudra, Visvadevas

108

Lunar Day: 27 Lunar Day: Dvadasi Keyword: Trim It Comments: Day of wisom Degrees: 312-318 Degrees-2 312-330 Karana: Kaulava Nanda: Bhadra - Starting Things Nanda +/-: O Planet: Mercury Nature: Glorious Nakshatra: Hasta, Sravana Deity: Savitri, Vishnu Lunar Day: 27 Lunar Day: Dvadasi Keyword: Trim It Comments: Degrees: 218-324 Degrees-2 Karana: Taitila Nanda: Bhadra Nanda +/-: Planet: Mercury Nature: Glorious Deity: Savitri, Vishnu

109

Lunar Day: 28 Lunar Day: Trayodasi Keyword: SeedTime Comments: Success to activities. Degrees: 324-330 Degrees-2 324-342 Karana: Gara Nanda: Jaya - Overcome Obstacles Nanda +/-: O Planet: Mars Nature: Victorious Nakshatra: Lunar Day: 28 Lunar Day: Trayodasi Keyword: SeedTime Comments: M15: 13 Degrees: 330-336 Degrees-2 Karana: Vanija Nanda: Jaya Nanda +/-: Planet: Mars Nature: Victorious Nakshatra: Deity: Kamadeva

110

Lunar Day: 29 Lunar Day: Chaturdasi Keyword: Encapsulate Comments: Bad travel day Degrees: 336-342 Degrees-2 336-354 Karana: Vishti Nanda: Rikta - Destroying Nanda +/-: O Planet: Saturn Nature: Fierce Nakshatra: Ardra Deity: Kali, Siva Lunar Day: 29 Lunar Day: Chaturdasi Keyword: Encapsulate Comments: Degrees: 342-348 Degrees-2 Karana: Sakuni Nanda: Rikta Nanda +/-: Planet: Saturn Nature: Fierce Nakshatra: Ardra Deity: Kali, Siva

111

Lunar Day: 30 Lunar Day: Amavasya Keyword: Dark Night of the Moon Comments: Bad travel day Degrees: 348-354 Degrees-2 348-360 Karana: Chatushpada Nanda: Purna - Harvesting Nanda +/-: O Planet: Jupiter Nature: Ancestral Nakshatra: Magha, Mrigasira Deity: Pitris, Chandra Lunar Day: 30 Lunar Day: Amavasya Keyword: Dark Night of the Moon Comments: Degrees: 354-360 Degrees-2 Karana: naga Nanda: Purna Nanda +/-: Planet: Jupiter Nature: Ancestral Nakshatra: Magha, Mrigasira Deity: Pitris, Chandra

112

The 27 Nakshatras: Lunar Mansions The Moon at the time of birth (or an event) is located in one of 27 lunar mansions or Nakshatras as they are called in Vedic astrology. The Moon moves through the 360 degrees of the zodiac in the course of one month and spends about one day in each of the Nakshatras. A Nakshatra is simply the familiar zodiac divided into 27 parts, each 13-degrees 20-minutes of angular arc. We all know that the zodiac most familiar to us is divided into 12 sections, one for each month the Sun spends in that sign. With the Nakshatras, the zodiac is divided into 27 sections and it is the Moon that we watch move through these areas of the sky. We could say that the Nakshatra you were born in is another kind of Moon sign. The Nakshatras are ancient and are used by virtually all Vedic/Hindu astrologers in many different ways. The Nakshatra in which you were born is an important key to your character. The lunar mansion or nakshatra is typically calculated at daybreak (about 5 A.M.). Whichever Nakshatra the Moon is in a daybreak is considered the one to use for that day. However, it is also important to note when (during that 24hour day) the Moon moves into the next subsequent Nakshatra. That Nakshatra and the time it is entered are usually listed in most Tibetan calendars. Each lunar mansion has its own flavor and interpretation, just as the familiar zodiac signs have their meaning. In Tibet, the tropical zodiac is used to measure the lunar mansions or Nakshatras. 113

The 27 Nakshatras or Lunar Mansions Tibetan 00 Ta-Kar 01 Bhya-Nnye 02 Min-Druk 03 Nar-Ma 04 Go 05 Lak 06 Nap-So 07 Gyal 08 Kak 09 Chu 10 Dre 11 Wo 12 Me-Shi 13 Nak-Pa 14 Sa-Ri 15 Sa-Ka 16 La-Tsem 17 Nron 18 Noop 19 Chu-Do 20 Chu-Me 21 Dro-Shin 22 Non-Dre 23 Non-Dru 24 Drum-To 25 Dru-Me 26 Namdru

Sanskrit Asvini Bharani Kritika Rohini Mrgasira Ardra Punarvasti Pusya Aslesa Magha Purva-Phalguni Uttar-Phaluni Hasta Citra Svata Visakha Anuradha Jestha Mula Purvasadha Uttarasadha Uttara-Asadha Dhaniastha Satabhisak Purvabaad-rapada Uttara-bhadrapada Revati

Element Wind Fire Fire Earth Wind Water Wind Fire Water Fire Fire Wind Wind Wind Wind Wind Earth Earth Water Water Earth Earth Water Earth Fire Water Water

114

Nakshatra 00: Healing The Healer. The power of this mansion is that of healing, and quickly at that, rushing whatever aid and cures that are required to those most in need, human or animal. Very active in curing whatever needs remedy, and at the same time working to remove disease and excess from the world. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Journeys: Favorable Not Favorable: Move New House Not Favorable: Cultivating Ground

115

Nakshatra 01: Removal This lunar mansion is very disciplined and selfsacrificing, and has to due with helping things to pass, the taking away of that which is near death and, in general, the removal of excess in all forms - removing whatever has reached beyond its point of fruition, taking the soul into the bardo and on toward another life or project.

116

Nakshatra 02: Purification This lunar mansion has to due with purification, the ripening of all things, and, in particular, the burning off of the dross, removing by fire all that which should be removed, and is excess, and leaving all that good. Pure purification.

117

Nakshatra 03: Growth This lunar mansion's power is that of growth, growth to abundance, and has to due with matters of fertility, with preparing the ground, and thus growth, and prosperity always in abundance. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable, Move New House Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

118

Nakshatra 04: Enrichment The power of this mansion is that of enhancing and enriching our life beyond or to the limits of our dreams what we dreamed life could offer. It is ruled by the Moon, Soma, and always acts to fulfill what we already have, showing us the richness and beauty if our lives. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable: Journeys Favorable: Marriage

119

Nakshatra 05: Great Effort Hitting the target. This mansion is typified by hard, ceaseless effort, a perpetual struggle to overcome life's obstacles, to push past them, and strive forward to reach the goal. Fierce. This Day: Favorable for Starting a Fight Not Favorable for Journeys

120

Nakshatra 06: Renewal This lunar mansion has the power to renew and refresh, like the spring rains, bringing forth new growth and abundance - revitalization. Creativity. This Day: Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable for Journeys Not Favorable: Move New House Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

121

Nakshatra 07: Spiritual Energy This lunar mansion has to do with the bringing forth of renewed spiritual energy through prayer, meditation, and any kind of ritual worship. Creating good karma. This Day: Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable: Journeys, Favorable Not Favorable: Move New House

122

Nakshatra 08: Remove Obstacles This mansion brings the power of worldly wisdom, and is very practical, especially in how to bring down and paralyze enemies and remove the obstacles in life's path. This Day: Not Favorable for Journeys, Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

123

Nakshatra 9: Leaving the Body This mansion's power is that of the end of things, whether that is a cycle or any body of involvement, and the leaving of whatever we happen to find our self in - a kind of death. The leaving of the body. This Day: Favorable for Marriage

124

Nakshatra 10: Procreation Procreation is the nature and power of this lunar mansion, based on a coming together, bonding, and marriage - productive alliances. Union. This Day: Favorable for Starting a Fight Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

125

Nakshatra 11: Abundance The power of this mansion is the prosperity and the accumulation of wealth, based on a successful union or marriage - wealth and abundance through partnership. Resources through union. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

126

Nakshatra 12: Fulfillment This mansion puts the power to achieve our goals (whatever it is we are seeking) into our own hands fulfillment for whatever we search for. And quickly. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable for Journeys Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable: Move New House Not Favorable: Cultivating Ground

127

Nakshatra 13: Merit This mansion has to due with the accumulation of merit and honor, whatever can be achieved through righteousness - very spiritual energy. The power of righteousness. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Not Favorable for Journeys

128

Nakshatra 14: Transformation The power of the wind. Transformation and change is the key to this lunar mansion, altering the stagnant course of things, and taking away and scattering whatever is negative or excessive - stripping it bare. Removing negativity. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable: Move New House

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Nakshatra 15: Harvesting The power of heat, producing the fruit of the harvest, attaining aspirations and goals, perhaps not all at once, but gradually, over time, like the fruit ripening in the sun. This Day: Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies)

130

Nakshatra 16: Middle Way This lunar mansion brings the power of balance and treading the middle way, in particular with relationships, both bringing honor to others and to us, an even inwardoutward flow. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Starting a Fight Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Journeys Favorable for Marriage

131

Nakshatra 17: The Hero The hero, filled with courage and determination to overcome, is the key to the power of this lunar mansion, and through effort and skillful means, vanquishes all obstacles and opposing forces. This Day: Favorable for Starting a Fight Favorable for Hair Cutting Not Favorable for Journeys

132

Nakshatra 18: Cutting the Root Cutting the very root of attachments and afflictions, this lunar mansion destroys and takes away only what must be destroyed and should be removed, making way for liberation and new creation. Negating negativity. This Day: Favorable for Building Favorable for Starting a Fight Favorable for Journeys Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Medicine

133

Nakshatra 19: Cleansing The power of water, with its purification and sense of regeneration, provides magnetizing energy and results in both inner and outer cleansing. This Day: Favorable for Building Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

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Nakshatra 20: The Champion The summit. The champion and unchallenged victor, the result of a righteous cause and support of others in that cause. With these alliances, we sit on the top of the mountain, the pinnacle of the career, the head of the army - the winner. This Day: Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable, Move New House Favorable for Marriage Favorable for Building Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

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Nakshatra 21: Link Together Receptivity to others brings the power of linking all things, people, and projects together, each to each, and always appropriately. This Day: Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable for Journeys Not Favorable: Move New House

136

Nakshatra 22: Work Together The power of this lunar mansion is to bring fame and abundance, and the ability to unite diverse people into a single fabric, held together by natural practicality and mutual benefit. This Day: Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Not Favorable for Journeys Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

137

Nakshatra 23: Spiritual Healing Healing, not just of the body, but of the mind and spirit as well, is the power of this lunar mansion. Resolving obstinate karma over time, humbling us, bringing things to a crisis, and then washing all things clean. This Day: Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

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Nakshatra 24: Spiritual Fire Internal Purification. Burning spiritual fire that cleanses our deepest pain and raises in us a pure aspiration, one that makes it easy to put behind us more personal concerns.

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Nakshatra 25: Auspicious Rain The power of an auspicious rain that brings forth growth and prosperity, enough to create a rising tide that raises all boats. Pure creative power. This Day: Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable, Move New House Favorable for Marriage Not Favorable for Cultivating Ground

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Nakshatra 26: Nourishment Great abundance through rich and proper nourishment, protecting and gathering all together, and urging us on to ever greener pastures is the power of this lunar mansion. This Day: Favorable for Giving a Name Favorable for Hair Cutting Favorable for Medicine (giving remedies) Favorable for Trade Favorable for Marriage

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